Trunklinjer

Trunklinjer, or trunk lines, are the main high-capacity routes that form the backbone of a transport or communications network. They carry a large share of traffic between major hubs and are designed to provide reliable, fast service with high capacity. In transport systems, trunk lines are the principal corridors that connect big cities and long-distance destinations. They typically feature higher speeds, greater track or channel capacity, and fewer stops compared with feeder lines. Branch or feeder lines feed traffic into the trunk lines at key interchange points, enabling regional traffic to access the main corridors. Planning and operation of trunk lines focus on capacity allocation, timetable coordination, and infrastructure investment such as track upgrades, signaling improvements, electrification, and station modernization to reduce bottlenecks and improve reliability.

In telecommunications, trunk lines refer to high-capacity links that carry aggregated traffic between switching centers, data centers, or international gateways. These lines use fiber-optic or other high-bandwidth media and are designed for low latency, high reliability, and redundancy. They form the backbone of national and international communications networks, while access networks connect end users to the trunk network.

The concept of trunk lines emphasizes the strategic role of these routes in maintaining network efficiency, enabling economies of scale, and supporting intermodal connectivity. They are core elements in transport planning, network design, and policy discussions related to capacity, resilience, and future growth.